There are some days when having an executioner to hand seems like a very desirable prospect, and this sturdy fellow from William Nicholson's Alphabet series, would certainly be effective. In recent days in Bangkok we have experienced less than co-operative taxi drivers,
who may be smarting from the failure of their candidate in the recent gubernatorial elections, and taking that frustration out on their potential customers. But there seems to be a more frequent refusal to take fares, (now supposedly illegal), and to blame their reluctance based on the bad traffic situation in Bangkok, as if it was only a recent phenomenon. But perhaps this will all die down, as the run of these unco-operatives seems to have been interspersed by the pleasant and smiling species.
But the use of an executioner, or even a method less severe, although probably quite common here, wouldn't quite be cricket. So the answer is to probably dash off to
an establishment that serves a strong tincture to alleviate one's nerves, and to permit life to carry on as normal.
Images are from various auctions of the work of Sir William Nicholson, (1872-1949)
Top: Executioner sold at Neal Auction Company February 2013 for USD350
Idiot: sold at Bonham's in November 2004 for GBP600
June: sold at Bloomsbury Auctions in November 2010 for GBP260
Publican: sold at Bloomsbury Auctions in October 2005 for GBP600
Dandy: sold at Bonham's November 2004 for GBP580
from the Alphabet Series, except June from the Almanac of Twelve Sports.
Nicholson was also an accomplished artist in oil. This picture below was sold at Sotheby's for USD102,000 in June 2004.
10 comments:
Nicholson. A man clearly with a sense of humour and also an outstanding painter.
The Nicholson alphabet series reminds me of the similarly pessimistic ones by Edward Gorey. Edward Lear produced illustrated alphabets of a much more genial nature. I personally like all of them.
Hippo - yes indeed. Perhaps you could have an executioner with you at all times.
Parnassus - I'm not familiar with Gorey's or Lear's, but I will investigate further. As Hippo notes, there is a rather dry sense of humour in his choice; well, at least one that I perceive!
I suppose anyone who has dealt with the public – or certain clients – might naturally think of Executioner for "E." Perhaps the current owner of "E" has it hanging in a workspace.
There's an interesting story from Dwight D. Eisenhower's staff that when he was angry with someone, he'd write their name on a slip of paper and place it in a desk drawer that was empty except for like slips of paper. Eisenhower's staff came to realize that he was dispatching people to his own hell.
Mark - I like Eisenhower's approach, which is less messy than some of his successors' ways of dealing with "evil doers" etc.
Loved these alphabetical figures but hit between the eyes by the Nicholson painting. Just beautiful, thank you. (Reminds me a little of a Whistler nocturne.) He has always been underrated as an artist.
Yes, I was delighted to discover his painting talent. Here's another one:
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/sothebys/item/271243
Fabulous! You just don't see 'things' like this being made anymore. No one wants to offend. I love the idiot one! Such humor (and truth)!!
Loi - I think they depict what we all feel some days, but usually think better of saying out loud!
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